| About Lesotho |
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Geography  Lesotho is surrounded (landlocked) by the nation of South Africa but it has always remained an independent country. It is very mountainous, the lowest point over 1000 meters and the highest more than 3400 meters, making it the watershed of Southern Africa. Temperatures range from -17 to 35 degrees Centigrade.People  The population is 2.2 million and many people rely heavily on subsistence farming. The government is a democratic monarchy that suffers periods of instability that have at times resulted in civil uprising. The people are known as Basotho (singular - Masotho) and they speak Sesotho. English is also widely spoken, particularly in urban areas.Main challenges  The greatest challenge facing Lesotho is the spread of AIDS. This problem is compounded by recent periods of famine which have shattered an already struggling economy. Distribution of food to the mountain areas has been necessary for the basic survival of people in the villages over the past couple of years. The nation relies heavily on international aid. |
